document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=99385>Question 99385</A>This question is from textbook <A HREF=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0521605253/algebrahomeworkh></A><BR>\n" );
document.write( ": <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Solve the equation by completing the square, giving your solutions exactly in surd form\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2x^2 - 10x + 5 = 0\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "i got so far but seem to be mucking up somewhere\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2(x^2 - 5x + 5/2) = 0\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "(x^2 - 5/2)^2 = x^2 - 5x + 25/4\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "but now i'm stuck please could you help\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "regards, nat x </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #72386 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=scott8148><B>scott8148(6628)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=scott8148><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=scott8148><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=72386\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> first, using multiplication or division, set the coefficient of the squared term to 1\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2x^2-10x+5=0 ... dividing by 2 gives x^2-5x+(5/2)=0\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "next, using addition or subtraction, set the constant term to 0\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x^2-5x+(5/2)=0 ... subtracting 5/2 gives x^2-5x=-5/2\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "next, take 1/2 of the coefficient of the first order term, square it, and add (to BOTH sides)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "(-5/2)^2=25/4 ... x^2-5x+(25/4)=15/4\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "take the square root (positive AND negative) ... x-(5/2)=(sqrt(15))/2 and x-(5/2)=-(sqrt(15))/2\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "so <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=%285+%2B-+sqrt%2815%29%29%2F2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=%285+%2B-+sqrt%2815%29%29%2F2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > </SPAN>\n" );
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